Final answer:
Popular stereotypes and research align in indicating that adolescents are the primary victims of eating problems, with higher occurrences in young females due to cultural pressures for thinness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary victims of eating problems, according to popular stereotypes, are adolescents.
Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa often affect individuals during adolescence and young adulthood, with a higher prevalence in females than males. Stereotypes and research suggest that young females, especially those from Western cultures influenced by media portrayals of thinness, are the most at-risk group. Eating disorders can start in late childhood and early adulthood, with a significant number of cases appearing in teenagers.
Environmental factors like cultural pressures, idealization of thinness, and careers that demand a slim physique—such as dancers and athletes—can contribute to the risk of developing these conditions. It is important to note that eating disorders are serious mental health issues with the highest mortality rate among mental disorders, indicating the severity of these conditions.